• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.127-140
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• 2006

Purpose : This study was conducted to investigate the antimicrobial effects of Astringent medicinals against vaginal microbe. Methods : Staphylococcus aureus, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans and Gardnerella vaginalis were used for vaginitis-induced microbe. Lactobacillus gasseri, Streptococcus spp. and Escherichia coli HB101 were used for normal vaginal florae. And Astringent medicinals (Rubi Fructus, Tritici Immatri Semen, Corni Fructus, Nelumbinis Semen, Mume Fructus, Schizandrae Fructus, Ailanthi Radicis Cortex, Galla Rhois, Myristicae Semen, Terminariae Fructus, Rosae laevigatae Fructus, Ephedrae Radix) were used in this study. Antimicrobial activities were tested by optical density and colony test in vitro. And then wee valuated the antimicrobial effects in comparison with optical density and colony test. Results : The optical density and colony test showed that Terminariae Fructus and Galla Rhois among Astringent medicinals had the antimicrobial effects. Teminariae Fructus had the antimicrobial susceptibility and selective toxicity against Candida albicans and Gardnerella vaginalis of vaginitis-induced microbe. Galla Rhois had the antimicrobial susceptibility and selective toxicity against Staphylococus aureus, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococus aureus, Candida albicans and Gardnerella vaginalis of vaginitis-induced microbe. Conclusion : According to these results, we can suggest that Terminariae Fructus and Galla Rhois among Astringent medicinals be available to the antimicrobial agent of vaginitis-induced microbe in vitro.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.1247-1260
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• 2009

This dissertation aims to study the five tastes in the Yellow Emperor's Canon of Internal Medicine. Medicinals as well as Foods are classified by the five tastes: sweet, sour, bitter, salty and pungent, which can be tasted by the tongue. With the development of the theory dealing with the medicinal properties, some flavors are summarized out of clinical actions of medicinals, therefore, there is a little difference between the flavors of medicinal herbs and the tastes got by tongue. Each taste acts on or has direct influence on a specific vital organ, and each of which has different physiologic actions. Taste also has a long-term or post digestive effect on the body and its metabolism. When each taste is consumed in moderation, it benefits the corresponding organ. Over-indulgence in any taste harms the organ and creates imbalance among the five vital organ systems. The Korean medicinal herbs with same flavor mostly possess similar actions while the medicinal herbs with different flavors show different actions in the treatment, which are shown as follows. Sour has absorbing, consolidating and astringent actions and acts on the liver. Bitter has the actions of drying or resolving dampness, purging and lowering and acts on the heart. Sweet has the nourishing, harmonizing and moistening actions and acts on the spleen. Pungent has an action of dispersing and promoting circulation of gi and blood and acts on the lungs. Salty has the effects of softening hard nodes or masses and promoting defecation, etc and acts on the kidneys. The five organ systems control and support each other. Proper coordination only exists when there is no one organ stronger or weaker than the rest. Since the five tastes have direct influences on the five organs, the diet we take should have a good combination of the five tastes in order to promote internal balance and harmony. They control our well-being and create dietary balance. Excessive consumption of any of these could result in adverse effects. In a word, when the properties of the five tastes respectively are distinguished, their natures and flavors cannot be separately considered. I think the harmonization of food and medicinals should be stressed on good nutritional diet to maintain good health. The traditional belief that food and medicine share the same origin is a part of Korean medicine tradition.